Builders' ritual gave fans a chance to sign the final beam for the building's frame

The beam, signed by those in attendance, being hoised into place.

April 17, 2014

AMHERST, Mass. -
The University of Massachusetts Athletic Department hosted the UMass Basketball Champions Center Topping Off Ceremony outside of the Mullins Center on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the progress of the construction project. The ceremony, a Builders' tradition, gave those present the opportunity to sign the final beam used to complete the structure's frame prior to it being put in place.

Director of Athletics John McCutcheon, Interim Executive Director of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority Patricia Filippone, women's basketball sophomore Jasmine Harris and men's basketball sophomore Trey Davis addressed the crowd about the importance of the building to the growth of the University of Massachusetts, the athletic department and each of the basketball programs.

The 53,000 square foot facility will serve the men's and women's basketball programs with dedicated practice courts, office space for the coaching staffs, locker rooms and areas for strength and conditioning along with athletic training services. The $22-million facility is slated to come online in Spring 2015 and is funded by the University of Massachusetts Building Authority. More on the UMass Basketball Champions Center can be found through UMassAthletics.com here.